I WAS positively disgusted by the remarks made by Ms Janet West in response to her being prosecuted for speeding (Letters, August 7).

I am a serving police officer and a member of a local road safety group. How can anybody say they were driving 'carefully' when they have failed to observe:

1. The fact they have been driving in a built-up area

2. The big red and white 30mph traffic sign

3. The police officer standing at the side of the road holding the speed camera

No doubt the officer was standing near to a very mysterious large white motor vehicle with a strange flashing blue light on the top.

If Ms West thinks back to the last time she read the Highway Code, she will recall it states quite clearly: "The speed limit is the absolute maximum and does not mean it is safe to drive at this speed irrespective of the conditions."

Nobody is, whether pregnant or not, above the law.

It sickens me to find Ms West would have found it acceptable if she had been caught speeding by a Gatso camera (the big yellow things on the side of the road) and not by a hand-held speed camera. What's the difference?

It still takes the police numerous hours to process speeding motorists -- time which, she so rightly stated, is better spent dealing with more serious crime, such as fatal road traffic accidents where a motorist has killed somebody while travelling at 37mph.

After years of advertising the risks of driving at excess speed, it still happens. The message just falls on deaf ears until one day something tragic happens.

Sadly, it is the duty of the police to deal with such incidents and to visit the relatives of the victim and inform them that their son, daughter, or wife, who happens to be eight months pregnant, is dead. Believe me, it is not a job I look forward to.

If people would only take the time and watch their speed while driving, this would free up valuable police man hours and, more importantly, save a few more lives.

PETER CUNNINGHAM (address received).